Everyone needs to stay humble, says Youssef Chermiti after hat-trick keeps Rangers in race

Rangers striker Youssef Chermiti revealed his humility after his sensational hat-trick against Hearts on Sunday closed the gap behind the William Hill Premiership leaders to just two points.

The 21-year-old Portuguese attacker has been trying to convince Gers fans of his pedigree since signing from Everton last summer for a reported deal worth around £8m.

He had scored only twice before a double against Celtic helped Rangers to a 3-1 win at Parkhead on January 3 but had not notched in the following six appearances before coming up with the goods against the Gorgie side, which had the fans singing his name with gusto.

The Light Blues twice came from behind to win 4-2 and extend manager Danny Rohl’s unbeaten domestic run to 13 games with 11 league fixtures remaining.

Chermiti said: “I think that’s part of football and life, you have up and downs.

“On Sunday I scored a hat-trick, today I can miss a goal. That’s football.

“It was a really good game from everyone, a big three points and now we are looking for the win for the next game.

“It’s really important for us. It’s really important for me, but as I said before, it was me scoring three goals but another player can do the same – the most important thing is the three points.”

Asked if the big games got the best out of him, Chermiti added: “Of course, but I think everyone needs to be humble, everyone needs to stay humble.

“Every game is important for us.

“Of course, these (big) games we can be more focused but every game is important for us.”

Hearts are the only team to beat Rangers – twice – in the league this season and they got off to a strong start when Marc Leonard scored in the 16th minute after a mix-up between Gers defender Emmanuel Fernandez and midfielder Nico Raskin.

Three minutes later Gorgie substitute Michael Steinwender put through his own goal only for Claudio Braga to restore the Jambos’ lead with a fine header on the half-hour mark.

Chermiti then took over, levelling again in the 39th minute with a drive, leaping to head in his second in the 57th minute before clinching the points with a strike at the death following great work from substitute Djeidi Gassama.

As Rangers moved closer to Hearts, Celtic’s 3-2 comeback win at Kilmarnock earlier in the day meant they are just one point behind their Old Firm rivals, having played a game fewer than the top two.

Chermiti said: “Yeah, we’re in the race. I think everyone likes a league like this, tight.

“This is where you see the good players. The pressure is on, we are looking for the title, 100 per cent.

“As I said, as soon as the team are confident, I feel confident.

“The most important thing is the team – the mentality we are building.

“That (winning the title) would be everything for me.

“Since I joined the club, I knew how big Rangers was and of course it is a pleasure to play for this club. I’m just enjoying it.”